Steam-generator.



No. 738,148. PATENTED SBPT 1, 1903;

E. JQWOOD.

STEAM GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 24', 1901. RENEWED APR. 26. 1992.

H0 MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

No. 738,143. PATENTED SEPT. 1, 1903. B. J. WOOD.

I STEAM GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 24, 1901. RENEWED APR. 26, 1902.

N0 MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WITNESSES:

v BY

THE Dams PETERS cu; PHOXO-LITHO, m mmva; 01c

UNITED STATES Patented September 1, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

EDGAR J. XVOOD, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO MARGARET A. WOOD, OF BROOKLYN, NEW

YORK.

STEAM-G EN ERATO R.

SPECIFICATION fornling' part of Letters Patent N 0. 738,143, dated September 1, 1903. Application filed June 24, 1901. Renewed April 26, 1902. Serial No. 104,886. (No model.)

f0 aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDGAR J. \VOOD, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Steam-Generators, of which the following is a specification.

My invent-ion relates to steam-generators, and particularly to that class of steam generators or boilers in which the heating-surface is largely composed of a multiplicity of generator tubes arranged in the combustionchamber.

The object of my invention is to provide a construction whereby the effective heatingsurface of the generator is materially in creased and is so arranged that it will be uniformly heated and that the heat generated in the combustion-chamber will be perfectly absorbed, thereby increasing the efficiency and power of a generator of a given size and weight.

Other objects of my invention are to provide agenerator which is simple and cheap in construction and one which may be thoroughly drained and easily cleaned; also, to provide one which is safe and reliable and not subject to injury by overheating or by freezing or otherwise.

These and other objects of my invention will more fully appear in the following description.

My invention consists in the novel improvements and features of construction and combinations shown and described.

The accompanying drawings, which are referred to herein and form apart hereof, illustrate one embodiment of my invention and serve, in connection with the description here in, to explain the principles thereof and the best mode I have contemplated for applying these principles.

Of the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical central section of a generator constructed in accordance with my invention, and Fig. 2 .is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 2 of Fig. 1.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts wherever they appear in the drawings.

In carrying my invention into effect a shellis provided which comprises a lower annular portion forming the side walls of the combustion-chamber and the main water-space of the generator and an upper portion communieating with the lower portion and forming the top of the combustion-chamber and the main steam-space of the generator. A multiplicity of generator-tubes are arranged in the combustion-chamber, each of which communicates at one end with the water-space of the boiler and at the other end with the steam-space thereof. Suitable outlets are provided at the upper end of the combustion-chamber for the escape of the waste gases, and means are provided to distribute the waste gases over the outer surface of the shell and deliver them to a suitable dischargeopening.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated the shell of the boiler is composed of an outer cylinder 1, which is closed at its upper end by the head 2, and the inner cylinder 3, which is joined at its upper end to the crown-plate at, the lower ends of said cylin ders l and 3 being joined by the annular head 5. The lower annular chamber thus formed constitutes the main water-space of the boiler, and the upper drum-like chamber formed between the crown-plate ti: and the head 2 constitutes the main steam-space of the generator. The chamber inelosed by the inner cylinder 3 and the crown-plate l constitutes the combustion chamber of the generator, to which heat may be supplied by any suitable burner, one form of which is indicated by the numeral 6. Vithin the combustion-chamber thus formed there is arranged a multiplicity of generator-tubes 7, each of which generatortubes communicates at the lower end with the lower part of the water-space of the generator and at the upper end with the steamspace of the generator. In accordance with the construction shown a plurality of headers 8, 9, 10, and 11 are arranged in a horizontal position in the lower part of the combustionchamber, each of said headers being closed at one end and communicating at the other end with the annular chamber forming the water-space of the boiler. According to the preferred form of construction these headers are arranged in substantially the same plane a short distance above the burner G, and each of them is placed in communication with a number of the generator-tubes 7 which tubes are preferably arranged in avertical position between the headers and the crown-plate 4. In order that the generator-tubes 7 may be uniformly distributed throughout the combustion-chamber the headers S, 9, 10, and 11 are arranged in a radial direction with rela tion to the combustion-chamber and are made of varying lengths, substantially as shown.

The products of combustion are permitted to escape from the combustion-chamber by means of a plurality of transverse flues 12, which are formed near the top of the annular portion of the shell, as shown. The products of combustion or waste gases issuing through the fines 12 are collected in an annular chamber formed around the outside of the shell by means of a casing 13, which to this end is spaced from the shell, as shown. This casing is preferably formed of an inner layer 13 of a suitable heat-insulating material, as asbestos or magnesia or a combination of these two substances, which layer is held in place by the outer metallic shell 14. An outlet 15 for the waste gases is provided in the shell 14 and is preferably arranged near the lower end thereof, as shown. In order that the waste gases may be uniformly distributed over the outer surface of the shell of the generator, the annular chamber formed by the casing 13 is divided by means of a plurality of partitions 16 into a plurality of vertical flues, one for each of the transverse fines 12. The partitions 16 preferably extend from the top of the casing 13 to a point some distance above the bottom thereof, as shown, so that the waste gases issuing from the transverse fiues 12 are conveyed downwardly along the outer walls of the generator -shell and then transversely around the bottom thereof to the outlet.

The partitions 16 are according to the preferred form of construction made of sheet metal and are provided with lateral flanges 17, which are shaped to fit the interior of the casing 13 and are secured in place by suitable bolts or rivets 18, which pass through both the lining l3 and the outer shell 14. The partitions 16 maybe conveniently formed by making transverse slits at suitable intervals along one edge of a strip of metal and then bending the adjacent sections thus formed in opposite directions, as indicated. Any other suitable construction may, however, adopted.

A suitable blow-off pipe 19 is placed in com munication with the lower annular part of the shell, preferably at a point near the bottom thereof, as shown, and the headers 8, 9, 10, and 11 are preferably slightlyinclined downwardly toward their outer ends, as indicated, in order that all of the water contained therein and in the generator-tube '7 may be drained from the generator. The feed-water may be supplied to the generator at any part of the water-space. Preferably, however, it is supplied thereto at a point some distance above the plane of the headers in order that it may become more or less heated before it reaches the headers.

The water passing into the headers 8, 9, 10, and 11 is rapidly heated, and as it passes up through these generator-tubes it is rapidly transformed into steam, which is discharged at the upper end of the tubes into the steamspace of the generator. As the steam which is formed in the generator-tubes displaces the water therein the column of fluid in the generator-tubes is much lighter than the column of fluid in the lower annularportion of the shell of the boiler. The water in the annular portion of the generator is thus caused by gravity to flow rapidly into the headers and generator-tubes, a very rapid circulation through these gen erator-tubes being thus maintained. The water-level in the boiler is preferably maintained at some point between the flues 12 and the crown-plate 4, as in this way the speed of the circulation through the generator-tubes is maintained at a maximum and the steam delivered from the generatortubes is in the driest condition. An outletpassage for the steam is shown at 21.

For the purpose of preventing the particles of water which may be carried along with the steam issuing at the tops of the generatortubes from being ejected into the upper part of the steam-space of the generator a shield is preferably arranged in the steam-space a short distance below the head 2. In the construction shown this shield consists of a circular plate 22, which is preferably provided at its outer edge with an upturned flange 23, the parts being so secured in the steamspace that a narrow annular opening is formed between the upper edge of the flange 23 and the head 2 of the shell. As shown, the shield 22 is held in place by means of rivets 24,which pass through the outer upper edge of the flange 23 and the head 2, suitable spacing-collars 25 being arranged on the rivets 24 and between the flange 23 and the head 2. In order to permit any water which may be carried above the shield to drain back into thelower part of the generator one or more openings 26 are provided in the plate 22.

It will be seen that the generator-tubes and the headers are freely exposed on all sides to the heated products of combustion in the combustion-chamber and that all of the particles of combustion have to pass between the generator tubes before they escape through the outlet-dues 12. In this way the headers and the generator tubes are uniformly subjected to a high temperature, and the heat of the products of combustion is thoroughly and uniformly absorbed. The partly-cooled products of combustion issuing from the fines 12 are uniformly distributed over the outer surface of the coolest portion of the shell. In this way a portion of the heat remaining in the waste gases is absorbed and the efficiency of the generator is materially increased.

It will be seen that all parts of the heatingsurface of the generator which lie in the direct path of the products of combustion are submerged in water or in water-laden steam, and there is therefore little liability of injury to the boiler by overheating. It will also be seen that the boiler is comparatively simple and inexpensive in construction and that it may be thoroughly drained and that all dcposits may be readily removed.

My invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the precise construction shown nor to the precise construction by which it may be carried into effect, as many changes may be made in such construction without departing from the main principles of my invention or sacrificing its chief advantages.

lVhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a steam-generator the combination with a burner, of an upper shell portion forming the steam-space of the generator, alower annular shell portion forming the water-space of the generator, said upper portion forming the top and said lower portion forming the outer side walls of the combustion-chamber, a plurality of headers communicating with said annular portion at or near the lower end thereof and projecting into the combustionchamber, a plurality of generator-tubes communicating at their lower ends with each of said headers, said generator-tubes being ar ranged within the combustion chamber with their upper ends in direct communication with the upper portion of the shell.

2. In a steam generator the combination with a burner, of a shell comprising a lower annular portion extending above the burner and forming the outer side walls of a combustion-chamber, and an upper portion forming the top of the combustionchamber, a plurality of headers communicating with said annular portion .at or near the lower end thereof and projecting into the combustionehamber, a plurality of generator-tubes communicating at their lower ends with each of said headers, said generator-tubes being arranged within the combustion-chamber with their upper ends in direct communication with the upper portion of the shell.

3. In a steam-generator the combination with a burner of a shell comprising a lower annular portion extending above the burner and forming the outer side walls of a combustion-chamber and an upper portion forming the top of the combustion-chamber, a plurality of headers communicating with said annular portion at or near the lower end thereof and projecting into the combustionchamber, a multiplicity of generator-tubes arranged within the combustionchamber, each of said generator-tubes communicating at one end with one of said headers and at the other end with the upper portion of the shell, said headers being radially arranged with relation to the combustion-chamber and of various lengths.

4. In a steam-generator the combination with a shell comprising a lower annular portion forming the side walls of a combustionchamber and an upper portion forming the top of the combustion-chamber, of a multiplicity of generator-tubes arranged within the combustion-chamber, each of said generator-tubes communicating at one end with the lower annular portion of the shell and at the other end with the upper portion of the shell, a plurality of transverse fines formed in the lower annular portion of the shell and means for collecting and discharging the waste gases issuing from said fines.

5. In a steamgenerator the combination with a shell comprising a lower annular portion forming the side walls of the combustion-chamber and an upper portion forming the top of the combustion-chamber, of a plurality of transverse flues formed in the lower annular portion of the shell, and a casing surrounding the shell, said casing being spaced from the shell and provided with a suitable outlet for the waste gases.

6. In a steam-generator the combination with a shell comprising a lower annular portion forming the side walls of the combustion-chamber and an upper portion forming the top of the combustion-chamber, of a plurality of transverse flues formed in the lower annular portion of the shell, and a casing surrounding the shell, said casing being spaced from the shell and provided with a suitable outlet and with a plurality of partitions forming with the shell a plurality of fiues.

7. In a steam -generator the combination with a shell comprising a lower annular portion forming the side walls of the combustion-chamber and an upper portion forming the top of the combustion-chamber, of a plurality of transverse flues formed in the lower annular portion of the shell, and a casii'ig surrounding the shell, said casing being spaced from the shell and provided with a suitable outlet and with a plurality of vertical partitions terminating above the bottom of the casing and forming with the shell a plurality of vertical flues, one for each of the transverse flues.

S. In a steam-generator the combination with a shell comprising a lower annular portion forming the side walls of a combustionchamber and an upper portion forming the top of the combustion-chamber, of a multiplicity of generator-tubes arranged within the combustion-chamber, each of said gen eratortubes communicating at one end with the lower annular portion of the shell and at the other end with the upper portion of the shell, a plurality of transverse fines formed in the lower annular portion of the shell, and a casing surrounding the shell, said casing being spaced from the shell and provided with a suitable outlet for the waste gases.

9. In a steam-generator the combination with a shell comprising a lower annular por tion forming the side walls of a combustionchamber and an upper porti on forming the top LII of the combustion-chamber, of a multiplicity of generator-tubes arranged within the combustion-chamber, each of said generator-tubes communicating at one end with the lower annular portion of the shell and at the other end with the upper portion of the shell, a plurality of transverse fines formed in the lower annu lar portion of the shell, and a casing surrounding the shell, said casing being spaced from the shell and provided with a suitable outlet and with a plurality of partitions forming with the shell a plurality of fines.

10. In a steam-generator the combination with a shell comprising a lower annular portion forming the side walls of a combustionchamber and an upper portion forming the top of the combustion-chamber, of a multiplicity of generator-tubes arranged within the combustion-chamber, each of said generator-tubes communicating at one end with the lower annular portion of the shell and at the other end with the upper portion of the shell, a plurality of transverse fines formed in the lower annular portion of the shell, and a casing surrounding the shell, said casing being spaced from the shell and provided with a suitable outlet and with a plurality of vertical partitions terminating above the bottom of the casing and forming with the shell a plurality of vertical flues, one for each of the transverse fines.

11. In a steam-generator the combination with aburner, of an upper shell portion forming the steam-space of the generator, a lower annular shell portion forming the water-space of the generator, said upper portion forming the top and said lower portion forming the outer side walls of the combustion-chamber, a multiplicity of generator-tubes arranged within the combustion-chamber, each of said generator-tubes communicating at one end with the lower shell portion and at the other end with the upper shell portion, a plurality of transverse fines formed in the lower annular portion of the shell, and a shield arranged in the steam-space above the generator-tubes, substantially as described.

12. In a steam-generator the combination with a combustion-chamber, of a shell having an upper portion forming the steam-space of the generator, a multiplicity of generatortubes arranged in the combustion-chamber and discharging Verticallyinto the said steamspace, and a shield arranged in said steamspace above the generator-tubes for preventing particles of water issuing from the generator-tubes from being projected into the upper part of the steam-space, said shield having an upturned flange which is separated from the top of the shell bya narrow annular passage, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

EDGAR J. IVOOD.

Vitnesses:

RICHARD F. OLPHERTS, G. A. WALTON. 

